Shooglenifty & Dhun Dhora – Written in Water
Shoogle Records – 9 November 2018
If you were to give the new album from Shooglenifty a spin (and, for the avoidance of any doubt, you most certainly should), you could be forgiven for thinking you had, perhaps, picked up the wrong CD. As Written in Water opens, there’s no driving groove, there’s an absence of jangling mandolin, and we’re miles away from a swampy, bass-rich wash of guitar. In fact, as a solo fiddle emits a sweet, almost pensive, rendition of Bovaglie’s Plaid, we’re transported miles from any hint of the dance floors that Shooglenifty have famously filled for over 25 years. A hint of background conversation tells you this is an ad-hoc recording, a snatched moment in time. Dayam Khan‘s harmonium, the classic and instantly recognisable sound of northern India, picks up the theme; his spell-binding vocal replies to the ancient voice from Angus R Grant‘s fiddle, and we’re transported 4,000 miles to the ancient Mehrangarh Fort in Rajasthan – the location for the famous Jodhpur RIFF Festival, the celebration of Rajasthani folk tradition that had become such an important part of Shooglenifty’s annual calendar since 2012.
It was at Jodhpur RIFF Shooglenifty established close ties with Rajasthani band Dhun Dhora (the name translates as ‘music of the dunes’), and it’s an association that’s fostered some fascinating music. Three years ago, as Angus played the plaintive air inspired by a lost Braemar farming community in a dusky courtyard, plans were afoot for the two bands to collaborate on, and record, an album at the Mehrangarh Fort. Unfortunately, the sudden onset of Angus Grant’s illness and his untimely departure in the autumn of 2016 put paid to those plans.
After Shooglenifty, their friends, and their fans, had paid tribute to Angus at the unforgettable Celtic Connections event, A Night for Angus (reviewed here), it was clear that the band had to carry on, and fiddler Laura Wilkie was recruited to provide the essential fiddle element of the music, with plans for the Dhun Dhora project placed on hold. Then, in February last year, Dhun Dhora’s Roshan Khan was taken in a road accident, and that tragic news inspired the band to re-start the postponed project. Just as Angus makes an appearance at the start of the album, thanks to a recording from Ewan MacPherson, Roshan Khan was also able to make a posthumous contribution to Written In Water. Jog Yer Bones opens with his traditional Rajasthani Avalu, sung in the haunting Marwari language, before moving on to a more familiar combination of rich bass, banjo, mandolin, and an energizing fiddle tune of Laura’s with an eastern twang; one that’s already been making an impression on live audiences. Song returns later – exultant, joyous, and heads towards an excited acceleration of the beat from James Mackintosh and Dhun Dhora’s host of dhol drums.
Song isn’t restricted to the Rajasthani tradition, either. In A’Bhriogais Uallach Kaela Rowan brings a chilled, hypnotic puirt a beul to the table, to which Ewan responds with an expert mandolin riff. When Dayam and Sarder from Dhun Dhora add a traditional Raag, Laura counters with a perfectly placed fiddle. The album really is a beautifully inventive merge of the two traditions, and it’s one that works just as effectively with a lament, as it does with a celebration. Dhoriye opens with a Gaelic lament (Milleadh Nam Bràithrean) emerging from an eerie, misty, mournful, soundscape before drifting, seamlessly, to a Rajasthani lament, Dhoriye, sung by Dayam. Dayam sings while Kaela’s lament still drifts on the wind, and even the hint of the wild in James Mackintosh’s percussion seems to convey the passion in both songs.
The irresistible combination of Rajasthani and Shooglenifty beats drive the album ever forward, though, and provide the perfect foundation on which to combine trad melodies from Scotland and Rajasthan with maximum effect. Hichki starts with a groove on a hot wind, full of Dhun Dora spice, but unmistakeably Shooglenifty at the same time. Nigel’s Escape opens with a chant and Moorish undertones for Ewan’s melody in tribute to a fellow eastern explorer in a cantering, twisting, turning adventure; before dhol drums add some spectacle to a reel from Balquhidder, and Laura excels in capturing and conveying, the spirit of Angus Grant’s music. There’s even more excitement as Dead End Glen stomps, Shooglestyle, from the speakers; all beats and bass, as fiddle and mandolin go exploring Rob Roy country together. Some movement in the melody transports us to medieval Rajasthan, with dhol, jaw harp and morchang.
None of these utterly engrossing pieces are rushed. Written in Water offers unrestrictive explorations combining Scottish and Rajasthani tradition with Shoogle grooves, and the album’s closing title track exemplifies just how worthy a project it is. For the lengthy introduction, dhol approach from afar; hushed, barely perceptible, and grow into a raging, towering torrent; heralding a soft melody, and a gently uplifting vocal duet from Kaela and Ewan in memory of Angus. Dayam and Sardar respond with the extraordinary emotional power of Saawan Aayo (Look, beloved, the rains have come), before Laura’s fiddle and Sardar Khan’s sarangi ascend together, twisting and turning skyward.
Opening with a rare insight into the far-flung musical adventures Shooglenifty have enjoyed, a window into a precious memory; and closing with a heartfelt, bittersweet tribute to Angus, Written in Water is a truly remarkable album. The last few releases from Shooglenifty have seen them more and more willing to explore their myriad musical connections in the studio; to embrace the art of musicians they’ve encountered around Scotland, and around the world, and to weave those sounds with their own distinctive textures. This collaboration with Dhun Dhora, though, takes that spark of adventure to new levels. Travelling 4,000 miles to blend so perfectly with a musical tradition where the structure, the approach, even the tuning is so different from the comfort of their own music is as impressive as Dhun Dhora’s ability to embrace this music from a different shore, to make home for it in their own home, and to produce such a wonderful celebration of music and life. With Written in Water, Shooglenifty & Dhun Dhora have realised a beautiful dream and produced an album of exciting, intoxicating, exceptional music.
https://vimeo.com/256985811
Pre-Order Written in Water here https://beloud.co/shop/en/shooglenifty
Shooglenifty Tour Dates
Fri, NOV 16 – Temple Village Hall, Temple
Sat, NOV 17 – Resolis Memorial Hall, Resolis
Fri, NOV 30 – The Tolbooth, Stirling
Sat, DEC 01 – MacRobert Hall, Tarland
Sun, DEC 02 – The Old Bridge Inn, Aviemore
Fri, DEC 07 – The Water Rats, London
Sat, DEC 08 – Doubleheader with Sheelanagig, Bristol
Sun, DEC 09 – The Con Club, Lewes
Fri, DEC 14 – The Platform, Morecambe
Sat, DEC 29 – Feis Na Mara fundraiser with Julian Corrie, Arisaig
More details here https://www.shooglenifty.com/gigs/